THE freezing weather is set to continue over the Easter weekend in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Forecasters are predicting snow flurries and low temperatures as the unseasonable cold snap continues to bite for the rest of the week. It remained bitterly cold yesterday with maximum temperatures at 2degsC.

The Met Office yesterday extended its cold weather alert in the region until Friday and issued fresh yellow warnings of snow, ice and sleet, advising drivers to take particular care this week.

And the odds are shortening on the first white Easter in five years, just as the clocks are due to go forward for British Summertime.

Bookies Ladbrokes now has a white Easter as odds-on and is also offering 5/1 that next weekend will be the coldest Easter weekend ever.

Steve Jackson, for Bablake Weather Station, said: “Although it will become less cold through the coming week, these chilly easterly winds will still be with us over the Easter weekend by the looks of it, though at least it should be mainly dry.”

He added: “It may reach 5degsC by Friday, frost at night. I don’t think mild air will reach us in time for Easter, staying cold at 6degsC but dry perhaps.

“It was pleasantly warm on March 25 in 1953 with a maximum temperature of 20degsC in Coventry.”

The Met Office warning said: “Bitterly cold easterly winds will persist this week, bringing snow showers to north-east England and light snow flurries across other areas of England.With lying snow and partial snow melt during the daytimes, icy conditions are likely during the nights.”

The continuing Arctic conditions are in stark contrast to this week last year when Britain was dubbed hotter than Madrid or California and sun-seekers headed to the beach to enjoy an early spring heatwave.

Ladbrokes has also offered the odds on ice on the River Thames disrupting the University Boat Race over the weekend.